Vending machine



Feb. 16, 1960 E. MIHALEK VENDING MACHINE B Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 21,1956 Ffa. 5

JN VEN TOR.

Feb. 16, 1960 E. MIHALEK VENDING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 21,1956 IN V EN TOR.

rmes

E. MIHALEK yVENDING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 21, 1956INVENTOR. Mzlzdlek E. MIHALEK 2,925,194 VENDING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4k 6 T d m mh o Vi 0 .1 WM uu/m Tl r i Uw| C il i i l. m I'IIH. Q Q\ dm.5%. |M||||||||||NQ l I|||||. I |a|\ l. NQ. @m @m Q J\I ma i w Nw Nm wm.fr #m iai. -I l i. NN s uw lm iiL Y IL I i. .rw riiL /ww fmm Feb. 16,1960 Filed Feb. 21, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 E. MIHALEK VENDING MACHINEFeb. 16, 1960 Filed Feb. 21, 195e Jlml-l "nn-M62! FIG/5 FIG, S

jl ...n-in

Feb. 16, 1960 E. MIHALEK VENDING MACHINE 8 sheets-sneer s Filed Feb. 21.1956 IN V EN TOR. Emery/14 lzalck BY 5% za rms 2,15

Feb. 16, 1960 E. MIHALEK 2,925,194

VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 21, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 nvrfENToR.Emery/ldzlzcvlek BY f/Mpmw E. MIHALEK 2,925,194

VENDING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 www Feb. 16, 1960 Filed Feb. 21, 1956Eme ylvnu),

t MACHINE Emery Mihalek, Chicago, lll., assignor to Hershey Mfg. Co.,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois applicati@L February 21, 1956,serial No. 566,814 Y s claims. (c1. 221-11) This invention relates tomachines for vending various articles, particularly-paper milk cartonsor the like.

One object of the present invention'is` to provideia new and improvedvending machine that will hold a large number of milk cartons or otherarticles yet will vend the cartons positively and-expeditiously.

A further object is to provide a vending machine in which successiverows of articles are carried to a delivery position in channel-shapedguide elements carried by an endless conveyor, and in which the rows ofarticles are` pushed along the i guide elements at the delivery positionso that each article in turn will be pushed oi the conveyor.

i It is another object to provide a new and improved vending machinehaving a cabinet with a front wall formed with an opening through whichvended articles are removed, together with a door arranged to swingclosed by its own weight so as to close the opening.

A further object is to provide a vending machine which is effective andfoolproof in operation yet is simple in construction and low in-cost.

t Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which: t

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vendingmachine constituting anillustrative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along a line 2 2 inFig. 1. t

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along a line 3 3in Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken generally along aline 4-4 in Fig. 2.

4Fig: 5 is` a fragmentary `perspective view showing the machlne of Fig.1 with its outer door standing open to reveal an inner door. t

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the machine with both the outer andinnerdoors standing open.

. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational View showing one of the twovending units embodied in the machine.

Fig. 8 is an elevational sectional view taken generally along a` line8-8 in Fig..7.

Fig. 9 is an elevational sectional view taken generally along a line 99in Fig. 7. F Fig. l is a plan view of the vending unit shown in Fig. 11is an enlarged fragmentary elevational sectional view taken generallyalong a line 11-11 in Fig. l0.

Fig. l2 is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of the vendingmachine.

As already indicated, Fig. l is a general perspective view of a vendingmachine 20 adapted to dispense various articles, particularly waxedpaper cartons filled with milk.- The machine will vend either at-toppedcartons 22 or gable-topped cartons 24 of square cross-section. Bothtypes of cartons may be intermixed in the machine. Any of the usualsizes of cartons, from one-half pints to quarts, may be dispensed by theillustratedmachine. Ofl

- proportioned so as to handle one-half gallon cartons course,` it wouldbe a simple matter to build a machine The vending machine 20 is reallytwo machines in one, inasmuch as the `machine embodies twin upper andlower vending units 26, as will be seen from Fig. 6.' The vending-units26 may be substantially identical in construction. t i l It will be seenfrom Fig. l that the vending machine 20 comprises a generallyrectangular cabinetV 28. An

outer door 30 ishinged on the cabinet 28 so that the. cabinet may beopened by a servicemanfor .thepurposez` of llling the vending units 26with milk cartons? Two coin slots 32 are provided on the` front door 30`to actu-v ate Vthe individual vending units 26. Moreover, each vendingunit 26 has a small carton door 34disposed .in

an opening 36 through which the vended cartons maybe` removed by thepurchaser. Whena suitable coin is deposited in one of thel coin slots32, the correspondingl vending unit 26 will deliver Va milk carton toahousing 38 disposed immediately behind the corresponding open,-` ing 36in the front of the cabinet`28. `The door 34 is` preferably made oftransparent material so that the carton will be visible. The purchaserwill open the door 34 and remove the carton through the opening 36.

Each of the doors 34 is arranged `so that automatically by virtue of itsown weight. Thus, each door 34 is mounted on hinge pivots 40 extendingalong an axis which is tilted slightly in a rearward direction,

from bottom to top, rather than being strictly vertical.` When the door34 is opened, gravity will tend` to swing` the door closed. To preventthe door from standing in its fully open, dead center position, eachdoor` is` arranged to engage `a spring-biasedpin 42, just before thedoorreaches its fully A.open position. Eachof the pins 42 is slidablymounted on the cabinet 218 andis biased outwardly by a spring 44. Thus,the closing movement of the door 34 is started bythe pleted yby theaction of gravity on the door.

From Fig. 5, it will be seen that the carton-receiving housings 38 aremounted on an inner door 46, shown standing` open inFig. 6,. The innerdoor 46 also supports coin-selecting mechanisms 48 for the two vendingunits 26. In this instance, the machine is equipped with change-makingmechanisms 50 adapted to return one `or more pennies or other smallcoins to the purchaser.

' horizontal frame 54. Since the two vending units 26 are substantiallyidentical, it will be` suicient to describe the upper unit. In orderthat the vending unit 26 may readily be removed from the machine forservicing, the frame 54 is movably supported'in the cabinet 28 on`channel-shaped horizontal rails 56 and S8 secured to the inside ofthecabinet on opposite sides thereof. 60 and 62 are mounted on the leftandright-hand ends of the horizontal frame. 54 and are adapted to beslidably received in the channels of the rails 56 and 58. n order toprevent accidental forward movement of the vending unit 26, a removablepin 64 `may be inserted through aligned apertures in the rail58 and thebar 62. A drip pan 66 is provided immediately below the vending unit 26,and is removably received in additional channelshaped rails 68 and 70which are secured to the inside of the cabinet immediately below therails 56and 5S.

It will be understood that the entire vending unit 26 may readily beslid forwardly on the rails 56 and-58.`

The vending unit may be slid part way out of the cabinet Patented Feh.16, 196g it will Vclose pin 42 and is com-` l'supporting arm 112. It wbe. removed. entirdv and.. replaced. with. a.. spate unit.

The milk cartons 22 or other articles to be vented are supported on anendlessVl exible conveyor 72, which might. assume. various; forms...but.. iu this. instance..v 0.0m-k prises.; a. pair ofj endless.. chains7 4. strung y around.; sproclnzts,

76 and: 715.Y It will, be seen that the. Sprockets 76. and 7,8; are..Vmounted onshafts 80 and; 821. which, areparrallel; and.tat.the,same.horizontal level, but are; SP'aced apartv horizontally from left. toright;l An electric;v geary motor 84 having a low output speed isprovided to, drivethe shaft: 80:. so. asv to;advance the chains 74. Eachchain 7&1. has.y an. upper horizontal. Hight; 86,'i which,y advances`from; left to right, and a lower` horizontalliight. 88.whic.h.1returnsfrom right to left.V

'.In this; instance, the milk; cartones 22; are yact'uallyi supported.in. guide channelsf 90;'provided'. by .channelshaped-members92'carriedbyf the chains 74;. It will be: Se'ef thakeachofthe channelmembersx92has: a bottomwallg/94 andi a pair.- of: sideliangesv 96;Longitudinalridges.4 98:'are` provided in the bottom wall 94 so that:the'cartons. 22 will ber spacedv above the bottom wall 9.4'.Inftllis-'wayyanyfmilk escapingfrom va leaky carton Vcan flow-'j along`the. bottom'wall 94:.andl drain olf the endv of tbec-han-nel member`92finto the drip pan 66.

The# channel members 922` are. spaced` closely; together from leftfto`r-ight and I are* arranged l to `extend from. front to rearbetween theconveyor chains'74..v Each o-rf theY channell'inembersh92:` is;pivotally mounted on theconv'eyor chains 74.-:byhrneansV ofl'a pair'of.anglebrackets` 100;l 'Y Itf will be seen that; one flange of eachbracket 10`0i's--bo1t-edj or other-wise securedI to the bottom wall94?,while` the o therfange is pivotally 1- connected to one off'th'echains74." They channel members-92' are spaced a-`shortf distance awayAfrom the chains 74. By virtue of thisvmountingdarrangement, the channelmembers v92 will pass freely arou'ndithe sprockets'76 land 78j and1will. hang suspended; from; the lower flights- 88 o-fthechains- 74.Along the upper; flights 86; L thechanneljmembersA 92 Aare sappen-@whyhorizontal guide mais.v 1oz (rig. 9): rn

this "way,-thehwei'glfrt` of=` the= milk cartons 22 is carried by. therailsV 102, rather than bythe chainsI 74'.V T he clipannel'rnembers 92slide along the underlying rails 1'02 inpassing along the upper flights864 ofthe chains- 74. v'Each ofthe channeltmembers 92 is adaptedtolreceive' a-number offthe milkcartons 22' arranged in; av rowl ext"gironi,fronthtorear.l A rail'104-is mountedon the i id fjthe'jre'arcabinet wallto prevent the; cartonsY 22' f'rojrnbeirlrgmrnfoyedyrearv'vardlyv in the channel `members le'y'vond"thedesiredY rear.limit. Likewise,` a rail or bar 1,.,06j'is,v mounted' on tljrey inner`door 46 to retain the cartons 22 on the channel `members 92 againstaccidental farvvardmovement- I )luringy theroperation.` of the vendingvunit 26;. the conveyor-motor 84 is effective to bringeach channel member9,2 and the, accompanying row of milk. cartons o1 a.. delivery position108 at the right-hand endI 'of' Y in.. ilghts, 8.6: At.. this.position.. theprow tous emvediorwardly SO. ,that each. Germain.

UPP.

turn. memberl92., Afterfallvoflthe cartons intherow have bjeenfLvended;theI conveyor motor 84I will again be energizledltoadvancethenext row. of` cartonsgto the delivery.. position 108. As the cartonsVarrive at the deli-yew position;v 108,I they engagea horizontal bail '1or;

rod31101 extending .b etween,thelower ends ofsupporting ai; S1112tItwillbe seen fromlig. 7 that thefarrns 11 are. swingably suspendedfrompivots 1-14andare hiasedgto thegfleft by. .a ,sp`ring 116.Whenpthecartons 22.,

rlllhefpushed. bfi. the. front end. f. the channel? 4ve to.thegdelivery'position 10,8, lthey swing. thebail 110 .andzthe f 112110athe right This,l has .the effect.

m. g ,Y t. XOI; ill be seen from Fig. "9 'that asecond. Switch^ 122, isalso adapted to be operated by the cam 120. The second switch 122functions as a safety switch for the vending mechanism, as will be eX-plained shortly.

When all of the cartons 22 at the delivery position 108 have beenvended, the spring 116 swings the bail 110 and the supporting? arms'.'1-12 to the left until the supporting arms. 11.2 encounter. stop, pins124. This movement of thebail 110 has the effect of starting theconveyonmotor 841. v

The cartons`22- at the-delivery position 108-are moved olf the;conveyor. 72, b ymeans. of. a. vending mechanism of theV generalV typedescribed and claimed in my copending application-, Se'rilNo. 4875307,filed February l0, 1955,`and entitled Machine for Vending Cartons orOther Articles. Thus, the vending mechanism 125 comprises a pusherpaddle 126 adapted to engage the rear: sidegofxthe rear-.most carton inthe row. Thepaddle 126'. isslidablyfmountedionapair 'of rods 128-forreciprocating. movement forwardly and rearwardly, over the4 channel.member: 921 ati' the. delivery position 108. It willl be seenthat thepaddle 126 is offsucient verticali extent to push any. ofi the` usualsizes of` cartonsgfrom Forithe purposeoffadvancingfthe pusherpaddle 126,the vending mechanism-'1125 isprovided with an endless drive element"inthe formof ach'ain 130:-stru'ng-around front-andirear-sprockets132andylj34fwhich are at the same horizontal level.VV A yslow-speedelectricgear-motor` 136 is utilized to drive the rear sprocket 134*- The chain-1x30 is adapted toV advance the pusher paddle 126 by--means of* apair;of outwardly'- projecting fingers or arms 1-38frnounted` on the chainatK equally spaced points. Each-of`the-iingers 138; 'aftermovingfaroundthe rear sproeket-1345 is adapted to engage the rear side of a ange1'40onthe^pusherpaddle-126- Further advancing movement ofthe `'chainl0fwill-carry thepusher paddle 126V forwardly until the finger.Y 138moves' downwardly aroundithev front sprocket 132, whereupon-the lingerwill become disengagedfrom the liangel 1'40. Immediate retraction of thepusher paddle 126;*i`s thenl brought about bjy a spring 41242l whichcontinuously Abiases the paddle rearwardly. From Figs. 8`and'9 it'willbeseen that'the spring 142 is in the form of an elongated co'iljspringhaving its frontend connected to a'Xed anchor 144 adjacent the front ofthe vendingvunitl 26' The spring 1'42' extends rearwardly andisthreaded'arounda pulleyv 146 so that the` opposite endof thespvringrcanbe brough forwardly and connected. tol the. pusher paddle 126.

Thevending motor13, 6 is startedgfin a manner to be describedshortly,whena coinisfv deposited in the coin slot 32 for the vending unit 26;A`s a result, the paddle 126 pushestherow. of, cartons forwardlyr untilthe foremost carton i's.puslred,.offthe Vfront ofthe channel memf ber.92, The. foremostlcartonmi'ght be carried,I away in variousfways,butinthis ,instance it falls into adelivery chute.. 148' mounted'von.thei'nner.. doorr 46. The carton slides down the chute 148 and cornestorestin an upright positionfin thefrdelivery. housing .38, ,which is.formed integrally with theehute. `Actually, the-.chute 148' has an upperportion.1,5,0.(Eig. 6) which is mounted on the vending unit 26'and isarranged to ins'ure that the carton willenter; thetchnte 148..bottomlirst and in lan upright position-i In .the illustrated vendinggunit,,the vendingvv motor 136 is stopped whenvthe falling carton operates a4trip lever 152Y (Figs. 7` and 10)k locatedjust beyond and below thefrontend ofrthegchannelrnember 92, at the head of thed'elivery chute.148;.l The fallingvcarton swings'the trip lever, 152,.downwardlyabout.its mounting pivot-154. fterfthel cartonhas passed, ytlie trip lever152 isre- Y trnedcupwardly by abiasing spring 156. It will be seen 152.``It is factually the release of the switch 158` which stops the vendingmotor`136, aswill be describedY in greater detail shortly. When theswitch 158 is operated by the return of the trip lever 152, the vendingunit is conditioned for further operation by the depositing of anothercoin.

The `vending mechanism 125 is arranged so that the vending motor 136will continue to operate after the last carton in the row at thedelivery position 108 has dropped into the delivery chute 148. In thisway, the chain `130 continues to advance until the finger 138 isdisengaged from the pusher paddle 126. Such disengagernent is necessaryto permit retraction of the pusher paddle 126 by the spring 142. Inythis instance, ,such continued operation of the vending motor 136 isbrought aboutby an override switch 160 adapted to be operated by thepusher paddle 126 as it approaches the position at which the last cartondrops into the delivery chute 148. More specifically, the switch. 160 isoperated by a'camin the form of aange 162 on the pusher paddle 126.Operation of the switch 160 Yoverrides the action of thedelivery switch158 and results in continued operation of the vending motor 136; Oncethe driving finger 138 has become disengaged from the pusher paddle 126,the spring, 142 completely retracts the pusher paddle sothat theVoverride switch 160 is no longer operated. This stops thel vending motor136, in a manner to be described in detail shortly.

When the pusher paddle 126 has been `fully retracted, it operatesasafety switch 164 (Fig. 10), which conditions the vending unit 26 foroperation of the conveyor 72.A Until the switch 164 is operated, theconveyor 72 is prevented from operating, in a manner that will beexplained indetail shortly. For the conveyor to operate, it is alsonecessary that the bail 110 swing to the left, as already indicated.

Consideration will now be given to the schematic electrical diagram oflthe vending unit 26, as shown in Fig. l2. It will be seen that thevending unit receives electrical power from a line plug 166 adapted tobe con nected to an ordinary alternating, current powerline, which maybe at 110 volts. Lead wires 168 and 170 are connected to the plug 166 toreceive the alternating voltage. A third lead 172 is connected betweenthe frame of the vending unit and the plug to ground the frame in theusual manner.

In order to refrigerate and ventilate the interior of the cabinet 28,the machine is provided with a refrigera tor motor 174 and a blowermotor 176, which drive a ,suitable refrigeration compressor and a blower(not shown). A rheostat 178 is connected n series with the refrigeratormotor 17 4 to regulate the temperature in the cabinet 28. The motors 174and 176 receive their power from the leads 168 and 170 through a switch180 which is closed when the outer door 30 is closed but is open whenthe door is open. In this way, the motors 174 and 176 are automaticallystopped when the outer door 30 is opened.

'The machine is arranged so that the vending units 26 will not operateunless the interior of the cabinet 28 is` cold. This arrangement makesit impossible for the machine to .vend warm milk.- For this purpose, themachine 20 is provided with a temperature control relay 182 havingnormally open contacts 182a which are connected, between the lead 168land lead 184. The leads 17.0 and 184 are connected through a doublepole on-otf switch 186 and a pair of fuses 188 to a pair of powerlineleads 190 and 192 on each of the vending units 26.

One side of the temperature control relay 182 is connected to the lead192, while the other side of the relay is connected through athermostatic switch v194 to the lead 168. Thus, the relay 182 isenergized'whenever the main switch 186 and the thermostatic switch 194are closed. The thermostati switch 194 is arranged to close whenever:the temperature 1.1 .the cabinet 2.8.18 @Flows gram -and now to bedescribed, Aare found on each of the vending units 26.'.

When a coin is deposited inl-the coin slot` 32 for theY vending unit 26,the coin operates a switch 1-96 having a contact 198 which is movablebetween fixed contacts 2 00` and 202. The coin shifts the movablecontact 198 from the contact 200 to the contact 202. After the coin Vhaspassed the switch `196, the movable contact 1 98 returns to thecontact-200. It will be understood that the coin switch 196 is embodiedin the coin-select-` ing mechanism 48` for the vending unit 26..

It will be .seen Athat the movable contact 198 `is connected to` thepowerline .lead 19t).` A first vending relay 204 is connected `betweenthe 4contact 3202 and the power leadh1 92 by means `of leads 206 and208. Thus, movementolfthe contact `198 against the contact 202 energizesthe relay v2,04. It will be seen that the `relay 204 is equippedwith'normally open contacts2l04a and 204b andnorrnally closedcontacts204c. The normally open contacts 20401 are utilized to control acircuit extending between the switch contact 200 and the power lead 192,and including` a lead 210 the contacts 204er, a lead 212, a secondvending relay 214, and a lead 216. Thus, closure of the contacts 204:1conditions the second vending relay4 214 for energization when themovable switchcon-` tact 198 returns to the contact 200.

The first vending relay 204 is locked in by closure of its own contacts204b, which thus serve as holding contacts. A holdingrcircuit nmay betraced between the power lead 190 and the relay lead 206 through a. lead218, the override switchl 160, a lead 220, the delivery switch 158, alead 222, the contacts 204b, and a lead 224. Thus, both the overrideswitch and the delivery switch 158 must be in the proper positionsbefore the relay 204 will hold in. In this case, it should be noted thatall of the relays and switches are shown in the positions they occupywhen the vending unit is empty and stationary. It will be seen that thedelivery switchV 158 is closedy by virtue'of being operated by the triplever 152 in its normal position.

The override switch 160 comprises a contact 226 which,V

movable contact 226 engages the contact 2.28 and com-V pletes theholding circuit Vfor the relay 204.` Thus, the relay 204 is locked inuntilthe trip lever 152 is operated by the vended carton.` Suchoperation of the trip lever 152 opens the delivery. switch 158 andde-energizes the relay 204. Further discussion of the normally closedcontacts 204C will be reserved for a later point in the description. p

In this instance, the second vending relay 214 is providedwithnormallyopen contacts214a and normally closed contacts 214b and214C; It will be noted that the relay 214 is energized when the coinswitch 198 returns to its `normal position but is not energized if thecoin hangs u p on the coin switch. `This arrangement prevents thevending unit from discharging its entire contents in the event that acoin should hang up. Instead, the unit will not operate `at all if thecoin hangs up.

Closure of the normally open contact 214:1 is effec# tive to start thevending motor 136, providedl the vending motor safety switch 122 isoperated. An energizing cir-` cuit .for theI vending motor 136 may betraced from agenten.

whereupon the switch will openftoprotect'the motorA from beingpdarnaged.The safetyswitch 122 is shown in itsopen position since this is `theposition it occupies when the Vvending unit-is empty. However, with oneor:

more cartons at the delivery position,A the bail110`isdisplacedtortheurightandthe` switch 122jis`closed to per 'mit operationofthe, vending motor 136.- Thus, closure oflgthe/relay contacts `214astarts the vending motor `136. The motor 136gcontinues to operate untilthe delivery switchlSrS` opens Vduev tothe ,actuation of'the triplever152' by` the vendedcarton; As' already indicated, the opening of the,delivery switch158jde-energizes'the first vending relayy 2 04.De-,energization of the rst-relayf 204 opens the contacts204a andthereby'de-energizes the secondvendingrelay 214. This sequence ofoperations conditions `the vending unit-for subseqnent'actuation by thedepositing ofanother coin.

Itvhas already been noted that^the overridey switch 160 has the effectof continuing the operation ofthe vendingmotorv 136 after thelast-carton in the rowV atl thedelivery position has opened the deliveryswitch 158-. The'override switch 168 is operatedby the pusher paddle12,6as it approaches the position at vwhich the lasty carton isA vendel.Such operation shiftsl the movable contact 226 into engagementwith'thecontactf230. It will` be seen Ythat Ia lead240V is connected betweencontact230 and'the lead 232andthen throughthe .safety switch' 122 to themotor 136. Thus, the overridel switchV 160, when operated, by-passes thedelivery switch 158 andthe relay contacts 214a so that ythe vendingmotor 136 'continuesto' operate. Such operation Vcontinues until theoverride swtichisreturned to itsvnormal position by= the retraction ofthe pusher., paddle 4126;'

Retraction ofthe pusher paddle operates theconveyor safetyswitch'164,which is provided with a contact 242 movable between contacts244 and 246. Operation of the safety switch 164 shifts the movablecontact 242 from the contact 244 to the contact 246 and is effectivetoenergize a conveyor motor relay 248. An energizing circuit for theArelay 248rnay be-traced from the power lead'190-through a lead 250, thecontacts 242and'246, a-A lead 252,-'normally open contacts 254e:- ofarelay 254, alead 2756, the conveyor switch 118,- a lead 258, the relay248,k and a lead 260 -tovthe power lead'192..` It will be apparent thatthe relay 248 is energized when the switches 118-and 164 and thecontacts 254a are closed. During` normaloperation of the vending unit,the contacts 254a are always closed, as will be explained shortly. Thus,closure of the switches 118- and 164 is snicient to energize the relay248:' The conveyor switch 118-isV closedv when the bail l110 swingsoutwardly after the last cartonV atrtheidelivery position ,has beenvended.A The safety switch 164 isrclosed bythe return of thepushergpaddle 126. Y

It will be seen `that lthe conveyor Vrelay 248'isproyided with normallyopen ,contacts 24Sa. An energizing circuit -for `the conveyor motor 84may be tracedy f'rornthe powerlead 190 throughy a lead 262, the contacts248:1, aleado264, a normally closed stop switch 266,v a lead 268,normally open'rcontacts 25.4b'ofthe Vrelay 254, a lead 270, a normallyclosed thermostatic switch 272 sirni-` lar to the switch, 236, theconveyor motor 84, and a lead 274 to the power leadf192.Duringnnormaloperation of the vending unit 26,` the lrelay contacts254b1and the stop switch 266 areclosed. Thus, closure of the contacts24Sa is sufficient to energize'the conveyor motor 84; The stop switchv266 may be of the pushbutton type andds provided sci that,Athevservicernanmmay stop the C'Qnveyotlat-any. fimswlen: heis.., 11 t1.gOt scrricinsthe machine.

The conveyor; motor- 841v stops when 1 dieVV new rev/ofi cartonsreachesgthe delivery position-108rancl pushestheV bail1'10'tothe right.This opens the conveyor switch; 1118i; which de-energizes theA relay-248g, opens thecontacts* 248a, and thereby de-energizes vtheV motor 84.

The relay 254 may beA of the` mechanicallockin or interlocked type, vprovided with separat e actuation, and releasewindingsl 254C and 254d.Momentaryenergization of the ,winding 254C actuates all ofl thecontacts'oi4v the yrel-ay 254; Thecontacts lock vin mechanically;Moxnentary energizationofthe winding'254d releases'the contacts. naddition tothev contacts 254a and 254bA already rnentioned;v the relay254 is provided with nor@ mally opencontacts 254e and normallycl0sedicontacts- 2154,. A push'button switch'276'is provided toenergifzethe winding 254e ofv the 'relay 254. Thejswitch' 276'rnay` beoperatedbytheV serviceman whenhe fills the machine;V

An energizing circuitforthe winding`254c may be traced from the powerlead190throughgthe voverrideswitch` 160the delivery switch 15S-,1 thenormally closed relayl contacts 204C, `aV lead 278, the normally, closedrelay con` tacts 2547,v arlead 280,*the switch 276,' and the winding254'c`to1tlre-powervlead 192; When the vending unit26j isernpty,,thelswitches16t)l and '158are in the illustratedV positions andthecontacts254fare closed. Thus,`closure of-the switchj,2 76is stiflcientto energize rthe winding,t 254e and shift thecontactsf254a,-254b, 2541s, andan2574f to their, actuated positions..Thfiopening'Ai of theY normally closed contacts 2541immediatelyde-energizes the winding,V 254C, but the relay/254 locksoinmechanically, as already/, indicated.V l Y Y Asalready indicated,actuation of the relay 254 closes the`contacts254 and254b, which arelocated in the energizing circuitsfoiythe conveyor relay 248 and theconveyor motor 84. As a, result, theconveyor motor84 is-conditionedforoperation in response to closure ofthe conveyor-.switch 118;' f IProvision is made forstopping Athe conveyor motor '8.4 after all ofthemilk` cartons 22V have beendischargedfrom the vending unit 26. Aslongfas any cartons remain in the channel-shaped vtrays 92, the conveyormotor 84 will be stopped when-theV cartons engage and. operate the bailso as-to o'pen the` conveyor switch' 118'.' \How ever, when thevendingnnit 26Jis completely empty, the conveyor motor 84 cannot be,stoppedyin'this way.

In:V order to stopthe conveyormotor 84 when the vend# ing ,unit isempty, theunit is provided with a thermal time delay, relay284nhavingkan electrich'eater element 286 adaptedY to-close a normallyopenvthermostatic switch 288,.af,ter,the heater element 286 hasbeenenergized for a vpredetermined interval. It will be seen that theelectrical heater element 286. is connected across the conveyor motor`84V by means of leads 290 and ,'292;` Thus, theheater element 2865isenergized V whenever the con-l veyor motor 84 isfoperating.Thethermostatic switch 288 is ,connected vin. anenergizing lcircuitfurthe release winding 254d of the interlock relay 254. Such, circuitmay be traced from a lead 270,.,throughfthe leado290 the tlierrnostaticswitch 288, thenormally open contacts. 254e. and therwindingrZSld to thepower leadf192.

Y .While .milk cartons 22 remain in the vending .unit` 2.61 the conveyormotor operatesfor .only a vbrief Ainterval suicient toadvance a. newrowo'f Vcartons tothe delivery position-.188. The thermaltimedelay relay284 isarf ranged so that the normal interval of operation of the.conveyorrmotor `84 will not'be sufficient to lclose, the. thermostatic`switch 288. When the vending-unit 26v is; empty; however,- the`conveyor motor 84 operates continuously until thethermostaticswitch 288is closed. As. already indicated, the relay contacts 254e1are closed`at., all times-during normal 'operation of the rnachine. V Ac.`cordinglyfclosure of` the -thermostatic switch'288energizes ,the4release winding 254:1 and thereby rele'asesally of.

message.

positio'ns.4 The .opening of the contacts `2S4b stops the` the,deliveryswitch 158, the normally closed relay con-` tacts= 204e, thenormallyclosed relay contacts 254]' and the light 2794 to the power lead192. The empty light 294 is visible from the outside of the cabinet, asindicated in Figl andserves as a `warniugto the prospective pur.- chaserthat the vending unit is empty. l .When the service man lls the vendingunit, he actuates th` 4relay 254 by clo'sing the Apush button switch 276so asto ,energize the winding 254e. This closes the contacts 254aand254b andrthereby energizes the conveyor motor` 1'elay1248 and theconveyor motor 84. The contactsV 254e arel closed. so as to conditionthe release winding 254d forenergization. At the same time, the openingof the contacts254f extinguishes the empty light' 294. The service mancan stop the conveyor motor 84`at any time simply by opening the stopswitch 266.

In some cases, the service man will find the vending unit 26 onlypartially empty. In that case he will want to fill the unit completelywith milk cartons. In many cass, vpusher paddle 126 will be in anintermediate position, between its fully retracted and fully advancedpositions. In that case,4 theservice.v man will want to'. move thepusherpaddle toits fully retracted position so that he ca'n completely tillthe channel member 92 at the delivery position 108. In the present case,the service man completes the cycle of the pusher paddle by pressingadouble pole .push button switch 29.6. `It will be seen that the switch296 comprises normally open contacts 298 and normally closed co'ntacts300. Operation of the switch 296 closesthe contacts 298 and opens thecontacts 300. Closure of thecontacts 298 energizes a relay 302 havingnormally open contacts 302:1 and 302b and normally closed contacts 302e.An energizing circuit for the relay 302 may be traced from the powerlead 190 through the lead 250, the co'ntacts 242 and 244 of the conveyorsafety switch 184, a lead.304, the switch contacts 298, the relaycontacts 302C, a lead 306 and the relay 302 to the power lead 192. Sincethe pusher paddle 126 ishin an intermediate position, the safety switch184 is not actuated and the movable contact 242 accordingly is engagingthe contact 244. Moreover, the relay contacts 302e` are closed.Accordingly, closure of the switch contacts 298 issucient `to' energizethe relay 302. Of course, the relay contacts 302C immediately open, buta holding circuit is established through the `contacts 302b. Suchholding circuit may be traced from the power lead 190 through the'override switch 160, the delivery switch 158, l

the normally closed relay contacts 2145, the normally openr'elaycontacts 302b, the lead 306'and the relay 302 t'o the power lead `192.

`-The switch contacts 300 and the relay contacts 30241 areVinanalternative energization` circuit for the vending motor'136. Such'circuit maybe traced Afrom the power lead 4'190 throughA the contacts242 and 244 of the` safety switch 164, the lead 304, the relay 302a, theswitch contacts 300, a` lead 308, the overload switch 236 and thevending motor 136 to the power lead 192. Energization of the relay`302closes the contacts 302g. As soon `as the push button switch296 isreleased, the contacts 300 close and thereby energize the vending motor136. Accordingly, the pusher paddle 126 will be moved forwardly. milkcartons infront of the paddle will be pushed successively off the frontend of the channel member 92 at the delivery position.` The service manwill catch the cartons 'as they'are pushed fromthe channel memwhich thelast carton 22 at the delivery position will be ber. If any of thecartons trips the delivery switchrlSS,

the relay 302will be de-energized and itwill be necessary to reset therelay by again operating the push button switch 296.

When the pusher paddle encounters the override switch 296 therelay 302will be de-energized, but the vending motor 136 will continue to operatedue to the actuation of the override switch. Thus, the finger 138 willbecome disengaged from the pusher paddle 126 and the paddle` will bereturned by the spring `142. This will open the override switch so as tostop the vending motor 136.

The return of the pusher paddle will operate the safety` switch 154 soas to shift the movable contact 242 away from the contact 244 andthereby break the circuit through the switch contacts 300. Accordingly,further operation of the `switch 296 will have no elect. With the pusherpaddle 126 fully returned, they service man can till the channel member92 at the delivery position 108;

A brief review of the operation of the machine may be helpful by way ofsummary. When a purchaser desires a carton of milk, he deposits anamsropriatecoin` inl either of the coin slots 32. The correspondingvending unit 26 immediately delivers a carton of milk to the housing 38behind the access door 34. It is a simple matter for the purchaser toopen the door 34 and remove the milk carton 22. The door 34 closesautomatically by the action of gravity, due to the tilted position ofthe hinge pivots 40 for the door. e v

The operation of the vending unit 26 commences when the coin isdeposited. The coin actuates the switch 196 and thereby shifts themovable contact 198 against the contact 202. This energizes the firstvending relay 204. After the coinA passes the switch 196, thecontact,198 returns to the contact 200, but the rstvendijng relay 204 isheld in by the holdingcircuit established by closure of its own holdingcontacts 204b. Return of the coin switch 196 energizes thesecond-vending relay 214.k -If the coin hangs up on the switch 196, thesecond vending' relay 214 will not be energized and the vending unitwill not function. The coin selecting mechanism 48 may be provided witha release lever 312 Vto return any coin that hangs up.

Energization of the second vending relay 214 closes the contacts 214aand thereby energizes the vending motor 136. This advances the chain130, with the result that the finger 138 on the chain advances the:pusher paddle 126. Forward movement is imparted to the row of cartons 22at the delivery position 108 by the pusher paddle 126. The cartons areslid forwardly along the channel member 92 at the delivery position.Because of the provision of an independent channel member for each rowof cartons, the forward movement of the cartons at the delivery positiondoes not affect the other cartons.

After a brief interval, the foremost carton in the row at the deliveryposition is pushed off the channel memberV 92 into the delivery chute 48and thence into the delivery housing 38. As the falling carton lentersthe delivery chute 48, it swings the deliveryv trip lever 152downwardly.

As the pusher paddle 1.26 approaches the position Vin pushed into thedelivery chute 48, the paddle operates the override switch 160. `As aresult, the vending motor 136 continues to operate after the cartonopens the` delivery 4switch 158: The continued operation of the nio',

assenso-4'? ergizes the conveyor relay 248 and therebycloses the relaycontacts248a so `asto energize the conveyor motor 34.y

' The conveyorgchains 74carry` the-channel members 92 tothe right alongthe upper chain flights 85. Accordingly,

a new'row ofcartons 22 `is advanced to the delivery position"1 08.l Thecartons swing the bail llt) to Athe-right and' thereby openltheconveyor"V switch 11S. energizesthe relay-248 andf'therebystops theconveyor motor184. The-operationeof the bail 110 closes the vendingmotorsafety switch'122 so that the vending motor-136 can beienergizedby`depositinganother coin.

Ifall ofthe cartons A22 have beenl discharged from theV veudinglunit,theconveyorrmotor 84 will continueto operate'until the thermalttimedelay'relay 284 energizesthe relay 'winding-25M' andl thereby `releasesthe relziyecontacts4 254g; 254b,`254e and 2541. The openingof'the'contacts 254a-and 254bde-energizes the conveyor relay 248 and theconveyormotor 84. The ope-ning ofL the^contacts 254e de-energizes thewinding 2S4d. v At the same time, the closure of 'the contacts -254fenergizes the empty light 294-.

The serviceman resets 4the relay-254'by operating the pushl'buttonfswitch 276 and thereby energizing the winding 254C; This-startstheconveyor motor 84. To stop the'conveyor'-motor, the serviceman canopen the stop` switch-266: Het can complete -the cycle of the pusherpaddle *126` by operating the p ush button switch 298. This will moveythe'paddle'to its fully retracted position so that the channelmembert92at thedelivery position 108 can be44 filled completelyV withcartons;

It willbe evident `thatthe lvending machine is reasonably simple inconstruction and low in cost. Nevertheless,l it is positive andfoolproof inoperation and is capableof vending a carton in a very shorttime. There'is virtuallyno possibility that the machine willmalfunction.

The--machine may be filled and serviced very convenieutly; If any majorVservicing is necessary, the vending units maywbeslid out-ofthe cabineton their rails;V A sparezvending unit may be inserted in the cabinet, ifnecessary.

It .will beevident thatthe'machine will' hold anunusually-largeinumberof cartons. Accordingly, the machineY will behighlyproftable inoperation.v

Various modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents may beemployed without departing from the truel spiritand scope of 'the'invention'v as exemplified in` Lheforegoing description and definedinthe followingA claimst I claim:

l; Iiil a-.machine forvending-milk cartonsf'or the like, the.combination comprising-a conveyorhaving a horizontal drive shaft, afirst pair of -spaced sprockets onfsaid shaft,a second'pair of sprocketsspaced horizontall'yfrom saidirstV pair, apair of "endless Ychainsstrungraround said sprockets 4and.having-upper-ar1d Vlower horizontalights7 therebetween, a plurality of closely spaced parallel'channelmembers pivotally mounted zonsaid chains -and'extending therebetween,each of said channel members having ab'ottomwall` and.a;pair ofspacedparallel side wall ilanges: directedfoutwardlyfrom said Vchains,:aconveyor motorfforgdriyingsaidshaftrto advance said chains' andtherebycarry said channel members along a path above sa.id ;upperflights of said .,chains,` horizontal guide` railsunderlyixggaidapath.,fornsupprting said: channel vmemev bers, each ofsaid channel members along said path being adapted; to receive and*vsupport a vpluralityv of cartons`"'inf a row, saidconveyor beingvoperative to move said'char nel members in turnv to' a delivery positionadjacent'tlie end of said path, av pusher paddle at said delivery posiytion, means supporting said paddle for reciprocating movementover andparallel tothe channel memberati the delivery position to push the rowof'cartons'along;

said channel member and thereby push eaclizcartoninv` turn off one jen'dthereof;A a vdeliverych'uteiundersaid fone* l end for receivingthe'cartonsA and carrying themaway"` by gravity, a third endlesschainparallel to the path^of said paddle, a finger on said chain andengageable with* said paddle for advancing'the same, a vending motor foradvancing said'third chain, a spring biasingsaid'paddlf:L rearwardly forretracting the same, coin operated'means' for starting said vendingmotor'to advance said-paddle andpush a carton into said chute, a movabledeliveryf arm extending into said chute'andoperable bya'carton`4 passingtherethrough, means operable by said delivery`` arm for stopping saidvending motor, override'` meansiforv continuing operation of Saidvending motorto disengage saidiinger from said'paddleafter allcartons'atthede"` livery position have been delivered," saidspringtliereupon returning said'ipaddle, a. swingablebailoperablelinoneYu direction by anyrcartong at'saiddelivery'position;aspring* foroperating said bail in the-opposite direction; means operableby concurrent return of said,` paddle and"move# ment of said bail insaid Vopposite direction-forastartingf said vconveyor motor, Vto'bringva channel member loaded-` with cartonsV to said delivery positionv andthereby operatei said bail in said one direction; means operable bymove-r ment of said' bail in .sai'd onedirection forstopping said;`conveyormotor, anda time delayarelay for stopping'said conveyor after a.predetermined vinterval in the event-that" all of said channel membersVare empty.

2. In amachine-for vending articles, thelcombinationf Y comprising aconveyor'. having .'a horizontall drive shaft; a first pair of spacedsprockets on said shaft, asecond.v

pair of sprockets Vspaced horizontally from saidfrstpair, a pairofendlesschainsstmng around said sprockets: and' having `uppereand Vlowerhorizontal flights therebetween; a plurality of horizontalclosely spacedparallel channel.. members pivotally mounted onsaid chains andyextendingl therebetween, each of said .channel members having 'ai bottomwall and a pair ofv spaced parallel sidewall an'gesv directedv outwardlyfrom said, chains, aconveyorimoton for drivingsaid shaft to'advancesaidchains and` thereby; carry said'channel membersalong a'pathaabove said:upper ights of said chains, horizontal yguide rails under lyingsaid pathkfor slidably engaging ,and supportingrsaid.l

channel members, each of said channelfmembers along, said path beingadapted to receiveand support a plurality of articles in a row, saidconveyor beingoperative to movel said channel members in turnlto avdelivery`position adjacent thev endofrsaid .p ath; apusher vpaddleatsaid delivery position,y means supportinggsaid paddle 4forreciprocatingmovementnover and .parallel to .the.. cham-1- nely member:r at therdelivery positiontopnsh ,theirow-oil articles along saidchannel member: andthereby puslL each, article in turn .offione endVthereof, a delivery ychute undersaid onefendfor receiving Vthe articlesandcarryingl them .awayby gravity, a` tthird endless .chainparallel-.Itothex-path of saidY paddle; a nger-,onsaid-. chain and renalgageable with `saidpaddle` fory advancing` the same;` af

vending, motor for advancing said thirdschain;,yieldableY meansbiasingsaid paddle. rearwardly for retractingpthe. same,.coinfoperated meansfor startingsaid; vendingmotor to advance saidsaddle andpushA anarticle-intosaidl chute, a. movable delivery arm,extendingintosaid.chute and operable by anfarticlepassing therethrough,means operable bysaid (delivery arm for stoppingsaidfvending motor, override means vforcontinuing operation .of `said.

vending f motor vto .disengage said .linger .f romsaid paddle afterall,-articles ,at .the-deli,very p ositiont.havewbcen.deey livered, saidyieldablemeans thereupon returning saidi paddle,` a-swingable detectorarm operable in one direction by any article in the row at said deliveryposition, yieldable means for operating said detector arm in theopposite direction, means operableby concurrent return of saidpaddle andmovement of said detector arm in said opposite direction for startingsaid conveyor motor to bring a channel memberloaded with articles tosaid delivery position and thereby operate said detector arm 1n saidonedirection, and meansoperable by movement of said detector arm in saidone direction for stopping said conveyor motor.

3. In a machine for vending milk cartons or other articles, thecombination comprising a conveyor having a horizontal drive shaft, alirst pair of spaced sprockets on said shaft, a second pair oflsprockets spaced horizontally from said lirst pair, a pair of endlesschains strung around said sprockets and having upper and lowerhorizontal ights therebetween, a plurality of horizontal closely spacedparallel channel members mounted on said chains and extendingtherebetween, each of said channel members having a bottom `wall and apair of spaced parallel side wall flanges directed outwardly from saidchains, a

conveyor motor for driving said shaft to advance said A chains andthereby carry said channel members along a path above said upper flightsof said chains, horizontal guide rails underlying said path for slidablyengaging and supporting said channel members, each of said channelmembers along said path being adapted to receive and support a pluralityof articles ina row, said conveyor being operative to move said channelmembers in turn to a delivery position adjacent the end of said path, apusher paddle at said delivery position, means supporting said paddlefor movement along the channel member at the delivery position forpushing the row of articles along said channel member and therebysliding each article in turn off one end thereof, a delivery chute undersaid one end for receiving the articles and carrying them away bygravity, means including a vending motor for advancing said paddle, coinoperated means for starting said vending motor to advance said paddleand push an article into said chute, a movable delivery arm extendinginto said chute and operable by an article passing therethrough, meansoperable by said delivery arm for stopping said vending motor, aswingable detector arm operable in one direction by any article in therow at said delivery position, yieldable means for operating saiddetector arm in the opposite direction, means operable by movement ofsaid detector arm in said opposite direction for starting said conveyormotor to bring a channel member loaded with articles to said deliveryposition and thereby operate said detector arm in said one direction,and means operable by movement of said detector arm in said onedirection for stopping said conveyor motor.

4. In a machine for vending articles, the combination comprising aconveyor having a horizontal drive shaft, a first pair of spacedsprockets on said shaft, a second pair of sprockets spaced horizontallyfrom said rst pair, a pair of endless chains strung around saidsprockets and having upper and lower horizontal llights therebetween, aplurality of horizontal closely spaced parallel channel memberspivotally mounted on said chains and extending therebetween, each ofsaid channel members having a bottom wall and a pair of spaced parallelside wall anges directed outwardly from said chains, a conveyor motorfor driving said shaft to advance said chains and thereby carry saidchannel members along a path above said upper ights of said chains,horizontal guide means underlying said path for slidably engaging andsupporting said channel members, each of said channel members along saidpath being adapted to receive and support a plurality of articles in arow, said conveyor being operative to move said channel members in turnto a delivery position adjacent the end of said path, a pusher at saiddelivery position, means supporting said VRe. 23,103

14 pusher for movement .along t'hechannel member at the deliveryposition, said pusher being engageable with the rear'of `therearmostarticle Vin thechannel member at the delivery position and beingmovableforwardly, to

push the row of articles along said-channel member and thereby slideeachl article in turn olf the front end thereof,r`neans including avending motor for advancing said pusher,`coin operated means `forstarting said vending motor t`o advance said pusher and push an articleoff the front end of the channel member at the delivery position, amovable delivery arm in front of the delivery position and operable bythe article pushed from said conveyor, means operable by said deliveryarm for stopping said vending motor, a swingable detector arm operablein one direction by any article in the row at said delivery position,yieldable biasing means for operating said detector arm in the oppositedirection, means operable by movement of said detector arm in saidopposite direction for starting said conveyor motor to bring a channelmember loaded with articles to said delivery rposition and therebyoperate said detector arm in said one direction, and means operable bymovement of said detector arm in said one direction for stopping saidconveyor motor.

5. in a machine for vending articles, the combination comprising aconveyor having a horizontal drive shaft, a first pair of spacedsprockets on said shaft, a second pair of sprockets spaced horizontallyfrom said first pair, a pair of endless chains strung around saidsprockets and having upper and lower horizontal llights therebetween, aplurality of horizontal closely spaced parallel channel memberspivotally mounted on said chains and extending therebetween, eachV ofsaid channel members having a bottom wall and a pair of spaced parallelside wall anges directed outwardly from said chains, a conveyor motorfor driving said shaft to advance said chains and thereby carry saidchannel members along a path above said upper flights of said chains,horizontal guide means underlying said path for slidably engaging andsupporting said channel members, each of said channel members along saidpath being adapted to receive and support a plurality of articles in arow, said conveyor being operative to move said channel members in turnto a delivery position adjacent the end of said path, a pusher at saiddelivery position, means supporting said pusher for movement along thechannel member at the delivery position, said pusher being engageablewith the rear of the rearmost article in the channel member at thedelivery position and being movable forwardly to push the row ofarticles along said channel member and thereby slide each article inturn off the front end thereof, a delivery chute under said front endfor receiving the articles and carrying them away by gravity, meansincluding a vending motor for advancing said pusher, coin operated meansfor starting said vending motor to advance said pusher and push anarticle into said chute, a movable delivery arm extending into saidchute and operable by an article passing therethrough, means operable bysaid delivery arm for stopping said vendng motor, a swingable detectorarm operable in one direction by any article in the row at said deliveryposition, yieldable biasing means for operating said detector arm in theopposite direction, means operable by movement of said detector arm insaid opposite direction for starting said conveyor motor to bring achannel member loaded with articles to said delivery position andthereby operate said detector arm in said one direction, and meansoperable by movement of said detector arm in said one direction forstopping said conveyor motor.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNewcomer Apr. 26, 1949 (Other references on following page) FOREIGNPATENTS Y

